Great Wall of Texas: History Channel to air Rock Wall episode on Dec 14

Rockwall is about to get another take on the origin of the long-buried formation that gave our town its name. On Saturday, December 14, at 9PM ET, the History Channel is set to air "Great Wall of Texas," an episode of the popular series "America Unearthed."

The origin of the wall has been the subject of much research and speculation since its discovery in 1852 by local farmers Benjamin Boydstun, Terry Utley Wade and William Clay Stevenson. Its existence was even said to have settled a simmering dispute among the men as to whose name the new town should bear. Legend has it that they settled on "Rockwall" as a way to preserve the peace and attract the curious to the area.

Over the years, visits by geologists and archeologists have in turn pronounced the wall as a natural formation or a wall built by a prehistoric civilization. One story appeared in a local newspaper about a discovery that proved the structure was built by a race of giants. Another claim has to do with an object found near the wall which some believe to be anartifact from an ancient civilization.

A production crew from the television show arrived in early May to excavate a section of the wall and to hopefully lay the matter to rest once and for all. Whether we get another dose of speculation or a definitive solution to the mystery, the show is bound to spark new rounds of discussion and interest.

From History.com web site: Great Wall of TexasPremiere Date:December 14, 2013 - 09:00-10:00PM ET
"Since the 1800s, the City of Rockwall, Texas has had a mystery it's been trying to solve. Allegedly, the town was built on a massive rock wall that was constructed by some ancient civilization…or even giants. Could it be true? Scott Wolter conducts a massive excavation of the wall to figure out who–or what–created this wall and the controversy surrounding it."

Rockwall County Historical Foundation (RCHF) will have an encore showing of the episode at their fundraiser “Dinner and a Movie” on January 19, 2014. BBQ dinner will be served followed by the show at Utley Middle School. Tickets are $20 and reservations must be made in advance by calling the museum at 972-722-1507 or emailing rockwallhistory@gmail.com.

Related article: The Rockwall Giant makes a comebackReal or not, the Rockwall Giant made a comeback thanks to the enthusiasm of local businessman Jeremy Standifer, owner of The Life House.

If you missed this program, or don't have access to the History Channel, this episode is available at Amazon Instant Video